The Forest School, Wokingham Review 2026: Co-Ed Transformation

Located in Winnersh, The Forest School is in the midst of the most significant chapter in its history. For decades a boys' comprehensive, the school admitted its first co-educational Year 7 cohort in September 2024. By 2026, the lower school is vibrant and mixed, while the upper years remain boys-only as the transition phases through. This evolution defines the current atmosphere; it is a school reinventing itself while holding fast to its "Forest Family" ethos.

Ms Shirley Austin has led the school since 2017, steering it through this complex transition and securing a Good rating from Ofsted in 2021. The school serves a wide catchment across Wokingham and Reading, situated conveniently near Winnersh station. With around 1,450 students, it feels busy and purposeful, leveraging its specialist status in Business and Enterprise to offer a curriculum that looks outward to the working world.

The campus is a blend of mid-century blocks and modern additions, dominated visually by the "Forest Dome," a large covered sports facility that signals the school's serious commitment to physical education. Recent investment has focused on facilitating the co-ed shift, with new changing rooms and social spaces designed to welcome girls into what was traditionally a male environment.

The school motto, Aspire to Become Elite, is plastered on walls and woven into assemblies. It is a bold statement for a comprehensive school, intended to challenge the "good enough" mindset. This is supported by the "Forest 5" expectations: preparedness, respect, involvement, safety, and honesty.

The atmosphere is currently unique. In the lower years, the dynamic is balanced and modern; in Years 10 and 11, the traditional boys' school culture persists. Staff manage this duality well, using the House system—with Houses named after English forests like Sherwood and Windsor—to create vertical integration where older students mentor the younger, mixed cohorts.

In 2024, the school's Attainment 8 score was 49.1, placing it above the England average of 45.9. This suggests that across their best eight subjects, students achieve nearly half a grade higher than the national baseline.

Ranked 1538th in England and 4th in Wokingham for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the "national typical" band. This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. The percentage of students entering the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc) is around 40%, consistent with similar schools, though the school prides itself on offering vocational alternatives alongside traditional academic routes.

The Progress 8 score of -0.12 indicates that students make progress broadly in line with expectations from their starting points, though slightly below the national average.

At A-level, the Sixth Form—which has been mixed for much longer than the main school—ranks 2019th in England. The percentage of grades at A*-B was 35%, and A*-A was 11%. While these figures place the school in the "national lower" band for top-end attainment, they must be read in context: this is an inclusive Sixth Form that welcomes a broad range of abilities rather than selecting only the academic elite.

The curriculum is broad, maintaining a three-year Key Stage 3 that allows students to explore subjects like Drama, Music, and Design Technology before specialising. Teaching often follows the "Forest Lesson" structure, emphasising retrieval practice to cement knowledge.

Literacy is a major focus. The library is a central hub, and "Drop Everything and Read" sessions are regular fixtures. Science facilities are good, and the department is active in promoting STEM, often running clubs that feed into national competitions.

The Sixth Form centre, with its own cafe and lecture theatre, serves as a bridge to independence. In 2024, 47% of leavers progressed to university. Destinations are diverse, with students securing places at institutions like Portsmouth, Reading, and Bournemouth.

A standout feature is the strength of vocational pathways. 23% of leavers moved directly into employment, and 8% started apprenticeships. This is significantly higher than many local competitors and reflects the school’s deep connections with Thames Valley businesses and its pragmatic approach to careers advice.

Admissions are coordinated by Wokingham Borough Council. The school is currently Oversubscribed, a testament to the popularity of the new co-educational offer. In the most recent intake, there were 898 applications for 262 places, resulting in a ratio of 3.4 applications per place.

Priority is given to Looked After Children and those with an EHCP, followed by siblings and children of staff. Remaining places are allocated by straight-line distance. The last distance offered varies annually, but the high application numbers suggest families need to live relatively close to be assured of a place. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

The House system is the backbone of pastoral care, fostering competition in everything from rugby to debating. Tutors remain with their groups where possible, providing continuity.

Wellbeing support has expanded to meet the needs of a co-ed cohort. There is an on-site counselling service and a "Safe Space" for students needing time out. The 2021 Ofsted report praised the "caring pastoral system" and noted that pupils feel safe.

Sport is a major pillar. The "Forest Dome" allows all-weather training, and the school competes successfully in local leagues for football, rugby, and basketball. The "Forest Football Academy" in the Sixth Form allows elite players to combine training with A-level study.

The Arts are also visible, with annual productions involving large casts and technical crews. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with high completion rates at Bronze and Silver levels.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. The school is easily accessible via Winnersh train station (a five-minute walk) and local bus routes. There is no formal wraparound care for secondary students, though the library remains open for study.

Transition Dynamic: The school is in a state of flux. Families joining now enter a settled co-ed lower school, but the upper school culture is still evolving. This suits resilient students who enjoy being part of a "new" history but might be less comfortable for those seeking a static, traditional environment.

Mixed Sixth Form Outcomes: While the pastoral support in Sixth Form is excellent, the top-end A-level grades (A*/A) are lower than some local grammar or selective options. It is a place for support and steady progress rather than an academic pressure cooker.

Competition for Places: With over three applicants for every seat, this is not a "safe backup" school. Families outside the immediate Winnersh/Wokingham catchment should check historical distance data carefully.

The Forest School is an institution embracing a bold future. It combines the warmth of its "Forest Family" ethos with the energy of its co-ed transformation. Solid GCSE results and exceptional sporting facilities make it a strong contender for local families. Best suited to students who want a rounded education where character and practical success are valued as highly as exams. The main challenge is securing a place in this increasingly popular community hub.